Subheadlight lighting system



SUBHE ADLIGHT LIGHTING SYSTEM Filed May 18, 1928 Patented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATES QUINCY L. FRY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

SUIBHEADLIGHT LIGHTING SYSTEM.

Application filed May 18,

The present invention relates to vehicle lighting systems, and aims to provide a novel and improved sub-frame lighting system in which the head light rays are directcd from beneath the vehicle, for the purpose of avoiding the objectionable glare which characterizes the usual head light arrangement located above the bottom of the vehicle frame and altogether in front of the vehicle.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a sub-frame lighting system making use of head lights beneath the vehicle frame and at a material distance from the front end of the frame, so that the illumination from the lights is directed forward through the space beneath the vehicle in such a way as to exclude the direct rays from the line of vision of other persons approaching the vehicle from the opposite direction.

It is also sought to provide a system of the character described in which suitable means is afforded for adjusting the angle of the lights vertically or in either lateral direction as required.

With the foregoing objects in view, the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawing illustr:- ting one form of lighting system embodying the invention, after which the features deemed to be novel will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawingv Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation showing a portion of a street car having a subframe lighting system embodying the pres ent invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, representing a section taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 1; andv Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the means for adjusting the lamp.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, this illustrates the invention as applied to a street car lighting system, in which the lighting means is located entirely beneath the bottom frame l of the car, as far as possible to the rear of the front end of the fralne and in front of the trucks 5, as shown in Figure 1. The lighting means comprises preferably a pair of head lights or lamps 6, each of which is carried by horizontal pivot-s 7 provided in a yoke-shaped"bracket member 8 having a tubular vertical shank or stem 9 which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis within. a sleeve bearing 10 which 1928. Serial No. 278,793.

is formed with a flange 11 at its upper end adapted to be secured by bolts 12 or the like to the bottom of the car frame 4.

For conveniently adjusting the position of the lamp, each of the shanks or stems 9 is provided at. lbS upper end with a handle 14: for turning the lamp about a vertical axis, a suitable latch 15 engaging teeth' 16 for holding the handle in any set position. In addition, a shaft 17 provided with a ban dle or knob 18 at its upper end and with a spiral gear or cam element 19 at its lower end, is operative by engagement with suitable teeth 20 on the lamp casing for tilting the latter in either direction about the horizontal axis of the pivots 7.

Obviously, the position of the lamps is such that the rays reflected therefrom are directed forward for illuminating the space in front of the car, the rays are initially confined to the space beneath the bottom of the car frame, and a glaring direct rays which are so objectionable to those persons approaching the car from the opposite direction are for the most part avoided since the most intense rays from the lights are directed forward approximately parallel to the ground and at the height of the lamps above the ground surface. At the same time the intensity and effectiveness of the illumination is. not materially diminished, as the lamps can at all times be operated at their maximum intensity for producing the head light function, which is thus carried out with an indirect lighting e'fi'ect to the extent that the direct rays from the lamp are cut off from approaching vehicles.

It is also apparent that by the means of adjustment provided, and operated as above explained, the lamps may be easily and quickly adjusted to vary the angle thereof as required according to conditions of operation, for extending or contracting the field of illumination laterally or tilting the lamps either up or down, and thereby varying the extent to which the direct rays from the lamps are allowed to be thrown to the front of the car.

It will thus be apparent that I have devised a practical and efficient means for embodying the proposed objects of improv'e-.

it will be understood that the system is equally adapted to other forms of vehicles,

such as automobiles, trucks and the like.

Having thus described my invention, what 5 I claim and desire to secure by Letters swiveled therein about a horizontal axis, a

' sleeve carryin said yoke and provided with means for malntalnm the sleeve n vertlcal position beneath sald rame at some dlstance vertically through said sleeve, means assoadjusted positions, and means including spaced rack teethl oarried by said head-light and a spiral cam element on the lower end of said rod and operative on turning of said rod to tilt said head-light about its axis within said yoke.

In witness whereof l hereunto ailix my signature. I

- QUINCY L FRY.

15 ciated with the upper d f said Sleeve for rotating and'latching the same'ein various- 

